Life Lesson: Sugar Blues

The smell of warm, freshly baked browniescame wafting into the school office, born on the arms of a loving parent.

Facing me was the same old battle, the same old foe: sugar, lust and temptation. An act of love on the part of the parent became a battle of wills for me. My mouth loved cookies, but my body didn't. 'Guess you know who won most of the time.

Sugar and I are not friends. Oh, sugar poses as a friend, promising satisfaction. "Come get me, I'll make you feel good!"

The sight of them delights my mouth, but after I get it down the trouble begins! It's like a drug in my system.

Instead of satisfying me, it sets up a craving for more...and more...and more.

It's positively deadly if I am left alone with a plate of donuts or M&M's. All morals and good manners leave and I have to have another "fix."

When I spy a plate of "goodies," I know a battle is not too far behind. What is meant as a gift from a loving friend, becomes my own personal battle zone. The juices rise up in my mouth and get ready for a feast, but another part of my cringes at what's ahead. I hate this struggle!

Attention Grabber!Sometimes, when reading the Bible, a verse seems to jump up and grab my attention. When that happens, I grab a 3 x 5 card, write the verse down and put it in the car near the dashboard where I can see it. Stop signs give me a chance to glance at it again and reflect about it.

I Corinthians 10:13 was such a verse:
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape.

Instead of despair, I felt excitement. What kind of wisdom was the Lord going to give me for this temptation? My mind wandered over several possibilities: Maybe God will tell me to move the coffee pot over to the next room...Maybe I should explain the predicament to the parents....Maybe I should tell the parents not to bring them...Maybe...

Here come the cookies!Oh, Oh, the door was opening and freshly baked cookies were calling my name. I smiled and thanked the thoughtful mother. When the door closed, I looked up - way up - and said, "You promised you would provide a way of escape for me, I'm going to wait until You reveal it to me."

Closing my eyes, I blocked out all outside distractions and waited expectantly. From the center of me came up a resounding word with great volume and power: